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Utah Men’s Golf Takes Second at Itani Quality Homes Collegiate
By Dameon Myres, Utes Associate Director of Communications
PULLMAN, Wash. – In its first tournament of the 2016-17 fall season, the Utah men's golf team finished second at the Itani Quality Homes Collegiate with a 9-over 861 (287-290-284). The second-place finish marks Utah's best season-opening finish since taking second-place at the Falcon Invitational to open the 2003 season.
Tournament host Washington State took first-place with a score of 10-under 842, while Sacramento State finished in third-place behind the Utes with a score of 10-over 862. South Dakota finished fourth with a 16-over 868, while British Columbia and Cal State Fullerton both tied for fifth with scores of 17-over 869.
“Our main focal point as a team was how we finished rounds this season and I thought we did a great job of doing that this week,” said Utah head coach Garrett Clegg. “We had a really nice finish to yesterday's second round and we carried that over into today's final round. It was really exciting to see this team finish the way they did.”
Senior Gentry Hicks carded a final-round 2-over 73 on his way to finishing in a tie for 16th-place with a three-round score of 2-over 215 (69-73-73).
“Gentry just played rock solid this week,” said Clegg. “He had a great week ahead of the tournament and it was very exciting to see him come out here and compete the way he did.”
Freshman Mitchell Schow and junior Kyler Dunkle both finished in a tie for 23rd-place after carding three-round scores of 4-over 217. Schow posted a final-round 3-over par 74, while Dunkle recorded a 2-under 69 in the final round.
Freshman Jordan Costello rebounded from an opening-round 7-over par to post Utah's best score in both the tournament and the final round with a score of 3-under 68. Costello finished the event in a tie for 34th-place with a three-round score of 6-over 219 (78-73-68). Freshman Christian James rounded out Utah's team scoring with a third-round 6-over 77, while finishing in a tie for 49th-place with a 10-over 223 (71-75-77).
“Kyler and Jordan both had a great final round for us,” said Clegg. “Kyler struggled a little bit to start off, but he found his groove and played amazing for us today. Jordan shot close to six or seven-under through his final 14 holes and it was great to see that from him.”
Freshman Peyton Hastings played as an individual for the Utes and finished in a tie for 34th-place after posting a third-round score of 1-over 72. He finished the event at 6-over 219 (73-74-72).
Utah will take a week off from tournament play, but will be back in action in two weeks competing in the Mark Simpson Invitational in Erie, Colo. First and second round action will get underway Monday, Sept. 26, at Colorado National Golf Club.
CLICK HERE to view results.